Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Responds to Support Organizations on the Front Lines

Philanthropic partners, businesses and individuals have responded generously with contributions to the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham’s COVID-19 Relief Fund with the first round of grants being deployed to organizations on the front lines in our region this week.  $290,000 in grants were awarded to non-profit organizations that serve our five-county region, and include:

  • Alabama Kidney Foundation for transportation to dialysis for high medical needs patients
  • East Lake Initiative for food, rent assistance, utility assistance for impacted families
  • Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (HICA) to support emergency fund for basic needs and provide technology adaptations to facilitate service provision
  • Impact Family Counseling to support mental health services to children and families and provide remote access to clients
  • The Ministry at Green Springs Provide delivery and drive through food distribution to clients
  • Safehouse for Shelby County to facilitate remote work and support and safety and health measures within domestic violence shelter
  • Space One Eleven to provide technology assistance to move art classes for low-income children to online access
  • The Women’s Fund of Birmingham for a challenge grant to their Rapid Operating and Relief for Women Fund (ROAR) to to help at-risk child care centers serving essential workers in the region
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham to provide child care for medical and other essential health care workers during the COVID-19 crisis
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham for COVID-19 Vaccine and treatment research

In addition, the Community Foundation provided a grant to support the Birmingham Business Resource Center in providing navigation support exclusively to nonprofits who are applying for funding through the Payroll Protection Program of the CARES Act. Nonprofits can call 205.250.6380 x 6611 to access the hot line for questions and support. Grants were awarded through the Emergency Response Fund, the Community Foundation’s proactive grantmaking program and the Catalyst Fund

Organizations can apply here for COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants. Applications for these grants will be accepted on a rolling basis through the end of May, after which the Foundation will reevaluate community needs. Grants will be made regularly throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases.